Shirley Kathleen Luke

Shirley Kathleen (nee McKay) Luke of Drexel Hill, Pa. passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 10, 2025.  She was 81 years old.  She is survived by her husband Harry “Skip” Wayne Luke, her son Harry “John” Luke and his wife Kristy; and three granddaughters, Kathryn, Laura and Ashley.  Shirley was born at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. on March 7th, 1944 after 6 months of gestation and weighed 3 ¼ pounds.  The doctors told her mother that the baby would not live.  However, after 80 days in the hospital, Shirley was finally able to come home and lived a full 81 years, glorifying God throughout her life.  Shirley attended Marple Newtown High School where she was active in Young Life.  It was through this ministry that she became a Christian at the age of 16.  Shirley was also the head majorette of the Marple Newtown High School marching band.  She continued to twirl her baton into her adulthood even performing for the students at her son John’s elementary school.

Shirley married Skip in November of 1965.  They spent their first year of marriage in Montana where Skip served as an MP in the Air Force.  Skip and Shirley returned to Pennsylvania for the birth of their, Harry “John” Luke in April 1967.  They spent the early years of their marriage living in West Chester and then moved in 1981 to their current home in Drexel Hill.  Shirley loved to bake cakes and entertain friends in her beautifully decorated home.  She hosted many women’s Bible studies and was very active in the Christian Woman’s Club.  Most recently, Shirley had a vibrant ministry of encouragement writing cards to friends and members of her church.

Shirley told everyone she met about Jesus – He loved them and died for their sins.  It was her deepest desire that others would know the Lord and join her in heaven forever.

Psalm 34 was one of her favorite:

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.  My soul will boast in the Lord: let the afflicted hear and rejoice.  Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

The family is very thankful that just 12 days before her death, Shirley attended the wedding of her first granddaughter Kathryn to Micah Wooddell.  Shirley looked beautiful, enjoyed the entire evening and was even up and dancing with Kathryn. 

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 23 at Aldan Union Church, 7 E. Providence Road, Aldan, Pa.

Visitation will be at 9:00 and the funeral service will be at 10:00. Coffee and light refreshments will follow in Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Aldan Union Church or Providence Animal Center.